Boost for Bremen as Klose returns

BOTH Werder Bremen and Juventus have been boosted by the return of key strikers for the Champions League round of 16 first-leg clash at the Weser Stadium tonight.

The Bundesliga’s leading scorer Miroslav Klose, who has been out of action since dislocating his shoulder last month, is back in training and is set to resume his prolific partnership with Ivan Klasnic up front for Bremen.

“I expect to play,” said the Germany international.

“The shoulder is healed and I have no more pain.”

Juve, meanwhile, can call on David Trezeguet after the Frenchman missed the 2-2 draw against Messina at the weekend with an ankle knock.

Klose’s 16 league goals have helped propel Thomas Schaaf’s side to second in the Bundesliga while he has also scored three times in Europe. Between them, Klose and Klasnic have bagged 26 goals in Germany alone.

Bremen midfielder Johan Micoud hopes to take a lead into the return leg. “It is important we do not concede at home and try to go into the return leg with a positive result,” the former Parma midfielder said.

“I think we need to keep an eye on their whole attack,” he added.

“They have huge attacking potential, with lots of different possibilities and top-class players. Trezeguet is, in my opinion, one of the best strikers in the world, if not the best.”

“But our strength is definitely in attack and if we can get the ball forward, we are capable of creating many chances.”

Trezeguet, who is Juve’s top scorer with 22 goals, is likely to lead the attack alongside Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

The Swede is in fine form having scored in the Bianconeri’s last three league games and his side are now 10 points clear of second-placed AC Milan at the top of Serie A.

Midfielder Emerson insists that substantial cushion allows Juve to channel all their energies on their European campaign. “We are going to Bremen to try to win because our main aim this season remains the Champions League,” said Emerson.

“Our current position in Serie A, where we have a clear advantage over our direct rivals, has allowed us to be more calm in view of the clash against Bremen.”

Ajax coach Danny Blind has been forced to draft in a number of youngsters for their clash with Internazionale, but that doesn’t mean they will be going on the defensive at the Amsterdam ArenA.

Blind is without seasoned internationals Zdenek Grygera and Tomas Galasek because of injury while regular first-teamers Wesley Sneijder, Steven Pienaar and Nicolae Mitea will also be missing. That means Blind has been forced to call up three youngsters in Jeffrey Sarpong, Michael Timisela and Robbert Schilder.

However, Blind is adamant whatever side he puts out his tactics will remain the same. “We will play our own game,” he said. “We will not dig ourselves in in front of our own goal.”

Inter coach Roberto Mancini insists his side are not in crisis, despite picking up only one point from their last three outings, but admits: “The clash against Ajax is very important.

“We must play a great game away from home and try to win in order to be more relaxed in the crucial leg.”

To make matters worse for Inter, they will be without Cristiano Zanetti, who is suspended, and injured midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron.